Rawalpindi riot: Several dead from clashes at Ashura procession

Several persons were killed and a market was burnt on Friday in violence between two groups related to the harassment of an Ashura procession in Rawalpindi. The clashes erupted in Rawalpindi, when an Ashura procession in the main downtown area coincided with a sermon in a nearby mosque.

The clash triggered a stampeded in the procession which caused more casualties. Some unidentified persons opened aerial firing that triggered stampede after which stone pelting and arson started. Some unknown persons torched a cloth market and stopped Fire Brigade vehicles. The mob also tortured media persons and policemen.

The Pakistan Army and paramilitary Rangers were called in after a clash between two groups left many people dead and many others injured in the garrison city here on Friday during a Muharram procession.